Love in Action
Report from Indonesia
Disaster is Finite and God's Mercy Infinite
By the Medan and Jakarta News Groups (Originally in Indonesian)
Recently, Indonesia experienced several natural disasters in succession, catching the world's attention and spawning international relief efforts. The first such event was the earthquake at Nabire in November 2004, followed by the tsunami at Aceh on December 26, 2004 and the earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale that struck Nias Island at midnight on March 28, 2005.
Nias, a small, remote island off the western coast of Sumatra, is famous for its rich cultural heritage and prime location for surfing. Due to its remoteness, however, it normally takes eight to ten hours to reach the capital city of Gunung Sitoli by sea from the northern Sumatra port of Sibolga.
In the March 28 quake Gunung Sitoli suffered severe damage owing to its numerous three-storey houses, most of whose residents were killed when the buildings collapsed. It is estimated that almost 1,000 people died in the city, with some still being buried in the rubble. In addition, transportation, telecommunications and electrical power were cut off for weeks after the earthquake struck.
Upon learning of the situation from local news reports, Indonesian disciples contacted the International Red Cross to organize a relief effort in Nias, and purchased cookies, baby biscuits, instant milk, mineral water, rice, instant noodles, kitchen utensils, masks, gloves, medicine and other supplies. In coordination with the Red Cross, the most urgently needed items such as the masks, gloves and medicine were immediately flown to Nias by helicopter. And the other materials were subsequently brought by truck to the affected areas.
Many overseas and local volunteers came to help, with some assisting in the victim evacuation process and others distributing relief supplies. We worked together and shared materials with a local Christian organization that conducted relief work in Nias.
With Master's love and assistance, we were able to conduct the earthquake aid project in Nias in a timely manner. And we pray that God will alleviate the suffering of the disaster victims, and that peace and harmony will blossom in Indonesia.
Expenditures
for Earthquake Relief Efforts in Nias,
Indonesia by The Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her Association
Description
|
Amount
|
Appendix
|
| Food: milk, soy milk, green beans, cookies for adults and infants, bottled drinking water, rice, instant noodles | 105,954,500.00 |
A~C |
| Cooking utensils: plates, trays, ladles, steel woks, water tanks, stoves, cooking spoons, plastic cups, large plastic bags, knives for cutting vegetables | 4,285,500.00 |
D |
| Medicine and medical appliances | 24,336,000.00 |
E~J |
| Transportation and labor fees | 11,950,000.00 |
K,
L |
Total: Rp146,526,000.00
(Approx. US$15,756.00) |
||
(Unit: Indonesian Rupiah)
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